Doughnut machine



May 7, 1940 A. s`. T. LAGAARD nouaxmu'r MACHINE Filed May 1, '1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l M90 Alexander SI. Lngaard.

May 7, 1940. A. s. T'. LAGAARD DOUGHNUT MACHINE Filed May l, A1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3mm Alexander' S.'l`. Lagnard Patented May 7, 1940 PATENT OEI-ICE DOUGHNUT alexander s..'r. mma, mamma signor to Dough-King, Inc., Minnpolis, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota ,Minimaa- Application May l, 1939, Serial No. 210,919

8 Claims. (Cl. 53'!) My invention relates to doughnut machines and has for an object to provide a doughnut machine in which lthe doughnuts are progressed along a way in a channel through the flow of the cooking liquid therein.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a doughnut machine of such character in which injury to and deformation of the doughnuts is entirely prevented during the cooking thereof.

An object of the invention resides in providing a doughnut machine in which the iiow in the way at the locality of the doughnut forming means is relatively slow to prevent injury to and deformation of the doughnuts prior to complete cooking.

Another object .of the invention resides in providing the doughnut machine with a turner and in causing'the cooking liquid to travel rapidly through the turner to procure positive operation therein.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing a doughnut machine having a channel by-passing the portion of the way in which the raw doughnuts are deposited and conducting a portion of the cooking liquid around the portion of the way in which initial cooking takes place and discharging the same back into the channel at the locality ofand in advance of the turner.

A feature of the invention resides in constructing both channels so that the same are open at the top and readily accessible for cleaning and otherwise.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/or described.

In the drawings: Y

Pig. 1 is a plan sectional view of a doughnut machine illustrating an embodiment lof my invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational sectional view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 1 and taken on line. 2-2 of Fig. l.

lig. 3 is a fragmentary plan sectional view takenon1ine3- -3ofFig. 2.

In the operation of doughnut machines in which the doughnuts are progressed along a way through the ilow of the cooking liquid considerable difficulty has been .encountered where a turner also operated bythe flow of the cookingl liquid is employed. In such case if a sufficient rate of iiow .is procured to positively turn the doughnuts the rate is so great that the ldoughnuts during initial cooking become irregular in shape and ilattened out of round. The present invention provides a doughnut machine in which a portion of the cooking liquid from the impelling means is by-passed around the doughnut forming means and a portion of the run following the same and discharged back into the way shortly in advance of the turner.

In the drawings I have shown a doughnut machine A which consists of a case I0 constructed with end walls II and I2 and side walls I3 and Il connected therewith. The case includes uprights I5 disposed at the outer corners of the same which extend throughout the height of the case and to which the various walls are atthroughout the major portion of the kettle and which provides a way along which the doughnuts may travel. The kettle I8 has one corner of the same removed, as' designated at 24, leaving a main portion 25 of the width of the case and of a length less than the length thereof. This construction also provides an extension 26 to the kettle which extends up to the end wall I2. 'I'he kettle Ill is constructed with a ledge 21 extending about the margin of the same which terminates in a lip 23 projecting upwardly from the extreme edge thereof. A guard 29, on the case I0, issues inwardly from the walls thereof and overlies the lip 28, thereby protectingl the same and at the same time being spaced therefrom to retard transmission of heat from the kettle to the case. The kettle I8 is supported on the angle frame members I1 through supporting blocks 3|, -which are situated at spaced intervals throughout the length thereof. n

The channel 23 is arranged to provide a straight run 32 which commences in close proximity vto the wall I2 and follows along wall I3. The channel 23, at the end of the run 32, makes a curve 33 which leads into another straight run 34 following along thewall II. At the end of this run the channel has another curve 35 which leads into still another straight run 33 which follows along the wall Il. At the end of the run 36 the channel is constructed with a loop 30 which communicates with another loop or run 31. The latter run communicates with a straight run 33 which is parallel with the run 32. 'I'he run 33 discharges into a reservoir 33 which` is merely an enlargement of said run.

channel 23 at the run 4I and also at the run 35.V

'I'he channel 42 and the portion of the channel 23, following,along the same, are formed by providing a` partition 46 in a depression in the kettle I3, which partition extends up to the lever of the walls 22. It will thus be seen that all of the runs of both of the channels are open from above so that access may be had to the interior thereof.

The entry of cooking liquid into the two runs 43 and 32 is controlled by a valve 41, best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. This valve is pivoted at 43 to the end of the partition 46 and is constructed with a plntle 49 projecting upwardly therefrom. This plntle is threaded at its end and extends through a plate 5I covering the exposed portion 40 of the channel 23. This plate is secured to the frame A by means of angles 52 which are secured thereto. Bolts 53, passing vthrough this plate and threaded in the said angles secure the parts in position. The protruding end of the plntle 49 is constructed with a screw driver slot 54 by means of which the same may be rotated. By means of this construction the valve 41 may be held in any adjusted position intermediate the positions shown in full and dotted lines in Fig. 3. The end of the channel 42 is provided with an outlet 55 which communicates with the channel 23 at the run 35 thereof and discharges into the straight run 36 in the same direction as the direction of ilow of the cooking liquid therein derived from the runs 32, 33 and 34 of channel 23.

'I'he major portion 25 of the kettle I3 is enclosed by means of a hood 53. This hood utilizes the uprights I5 at the end wall II and two other uprights 51 which are attached to the case at the locality of the end of the major portion 25 of the kettle formed by the corner 24. Between these uprights are provided glass panels 53 which are slidably supported in guides 59 whereby the said panels may be removed. 'I'he entire hood is enclosed by a top, not shown, which is carried by the uprights I5 and 51. The hood is so designed that the same encloses the runs 33, 34, 35, 36 and 31 of the channel 23 and the major portions of the runs 33 and 32 leaving part of the reservoir 39 and the cover 40 disposed outwardly of said hood. The said hood also encloses a portion of the run 43 of channel 42 and all of the runs 44 and 45 of said channel.

In the reservoir 39 is provided a vertical tubular duct 6I which communicates at its lower end with the bottom of the reservoir 39 through an opening 62. In this duct is disposed a propeller or elevator 53 which is mounted on the armature shaft 34 of a motor 35. 'I'he duct 3l communicates at its upper end through an outlet 63 with the run 4I of channel 23, thus discharging the cooking liquid from the reservoir 33 and into the said run of the channel. The cooking liquid, on leaving the run 4I, is divided by the valve 41. part flowing through the channel 23 and part flowing through the channel 42.

The relative amount of cooking liquid flowing inv each channel is determined by the position of the valve 41 which maybe arranged to procure any desired proportion in the two channels. The

bottom of the kettle, as illustrated at 31 in Fig. 2. l

It will thus be comprehended that a small amount of cooking liquid travels through the run 32 and that the velocity of the same is relatively slow. 'I'he bottom 31 of run 32 slopes downwardly toward the bottom I3 at the two localities indicated at 33 and 39.

At the lowermost portion of the reservoir 33 is arranged a clean-out 1I. 'I'his clean-out serves as a sump for collecting crumbs and other solid material formed in the operation of the machine. 'Ihis constructionforming no particular feature of the invention has not been illustrated in detail.

Situated at the beginning of run 32 of channel 23 is a doughnut former 12 which comprises a receptacle 13 for dough and a cutter 14 connected therewith. Such construction being well known in the art will not be described in detail in this application. The cutter 14 includes a flanged sleeve 15 which severs dough extrusions from the mass contained in the receptacle 13. 'I'his sleeve is reciprocated in opposite directions by means of a forked arm 13 which is mounted on a shaft 11. Shaft 11 is operated byv a' motor and transmission enclosed within a transmission housing 13. Inasmuch as the driving mechanism for the shaft 11 does not form a feature of the trated. It will thus readily become apparent that doughnuts extruded from the doughnut former 14 are deposited in the flowing cooking liquid which travels along the run 32 of channel 23 in the direction of the arrow.

In the run 36 of channel 23 is arranged a twisted tubular turner 19. This turner inverts the doughnuts after the same have been cooked a predetermined length of time so that the said doughnuts may be cooked equally on both sides n thereof.

'I'he doughnut machine includes'an ejector 3I which is disposed in the run 33 of channel 23.

This ejector comprises a shaft 32 which is constantly driven from the transmission within the housing 13. This shaft has mounted on it oppositely extending cranks 33 and 34. Sets of toothed blades 35 and 36 are mounted on the said cranks and are adapted to be alternately raised and lowered as shaft 32 rotates. The lower ends of the blades slide upon a rest 31 which is mounted on the bottom I9 of receptacle I3 in the portion of the run 33 leading from the run 31. As the doughnuts reach the said blades the doughnuts are elevated and progressed upwardly and discharged outwardly of the cooking kettle I3. The ejector 3I is disposed in a trough 33 having a discharge end 9II extending outwardly beyond the kettle. This trough returns the cooking liquid deposited upon the same back into the kettle. t

For controlling the rate of travel of doughnuts along the channel 23, two controlling devices 9i and 32 are employed. These controlling de- 40 instant invention the same has not been illusbe used for this purpose and since this construction does not form a particular feature of the instant invention, the details thereof have not been/shown, nor will the same be described. Where the machineis of fairly large capacity the control devices 3| and 32 may be omitted and the rate of flow of the cooking liquid used totime the cooking of the douglmuts.

For controlling the elevation of the cooking liquid in the channel, a dam 94 is employed which extends across the run 33 of channel ,23, at the locality of the beginning of the reservoir 33. The cooking liquid, in flowing through the channel 23 over this dam and is maintained at a predetermined elevation thereby.

The operation of the invention is obvious. The cooking liquid is brought up to the desired temperature and so maintained throughout the use thereof. Upon energizing motor the cooking liquid is drawn from the reservoir 33 and discharged into the run Il -of channel 23. Here the cooking liquid divides, part going into the run I3 of channel 42 and part passing into the run 32 of channel 23. -By properly positioning the valve I1 a-suillciently slow rate of flow of the cooking liquid in run 32 is procured so that deformation of or injury tothe doughnut is prevented. From runs I3 and 32 the cooking liquid empties into the run 36 of channel 23 which serves as a third channel in which the rate of ilow is considerably greater than in either of the rst channels. VIt will become apparent that where the outlet 55 of channel I2 empties into the channel 23, the rate of flow naturally increases. This is immediately before the turner 'I9 so that the doughnut upon reaching the turner is forcibly propelled through the same and positive inversion secured. As the' doughnuts reach the control devices 3l and 92 the same are released, oneV at a time, to enter the turner 19 and the ejector 8|. In this manner proper timing of the cooking is made possible.

The advantages of my invention are manifest. By means of the additional channel for bypassing a portion of the cooking liquid, the rate of ilow of the cooking'liquid in the main channel immediately following the forming means is greatly retarded so that injury to the doughnuts is prevented. At the same time suilicient cooking liquid is forced through the machine so that, when the cooking liquid unites at the turner, a sufllcient rate of ow is available to properly and positively invert the doughnuts. By arranging both channels open at the top; access thereto may be had and the said channels cleaned and inspected, as desired. By means of the valve, the relative rates of ilow in the two channels may be easily determined so that adjustment of the impelling means or the speed of the motor becomes unnecessary.

Changes in the specific form of my invention,

as herein disclosed, vmay be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is: l. In a doughnut machine, a kettle having a channel providing a circuitous way along which the doughnuts are progressed through the flow of the cooking liquid, forming means for depositing raw doughnuts at one locality in said way, a turner for inverting the doughnuts at another locality in the way, impelling means disposed vin advance of the forming means and causing flow of the cooking liquid in the channel and a second channel in said kettle connected to the ilrst channel at a locality between the impelling means and forming means, and receiving a portion of the Ycooking liquid delivered by the impelling means,`said second'channel forming a by-pass for by-passing the cooking liquid past a portion of the first channel and discharging the same into said iirst channel at a locality in advance of said turner.

2. In a doughnut machine, a kettle having a channel providing a circuitous way along which the doughnuts are progressed through the now of the cooking liquid, forming means for de positing raw 'doughnuts at one locality in said way, said way having a run following the forming means in which initial cooking of the doughnut takes place, a turner following said run for inverting the doughnuts, impelling means in advance of the forming means and causing flow of the cooking liquid in the channel and a second channel in said kettle by-passing the forming means and said run and receiving a portion of the cooking liquid moved by said impelling means and discharging the same into the first named channel in advance of the turner.

3. In a doughnut machine, a kettle, said kettle having two spaced parallel channels, means for impelling the flow of cooking liquid through both of said channels, forming means for depositing raw doughnuts in one of said channels, a third channel into which the first and second channel discharge, and a turner in the third channel.

4. In a doughnut machine, a kettle having a channel open at the top and providing a cir,-

cuitous way along which the doughnuts are progressed through the ow of the cooking liquid, forming means for depositing doughnuts at rv.one locality in said way, a turner for inverting the doughnuts at another locality in the way, impelling means disposed in advance of the forming means and causing flow of the cooking liquid in the channel, and a second channelopen at the top and disposed adjacent said iirst channel, said second channel being connected to the iirst channel at a locality between the impelling means and the forming means and receiving a portion of the cooking liquid progressed by the impelling means, said second channel discharging into the first channel at a locality in advance of said turner.

5. In a doughnut machine, a .kettle having a channel providing a circuitous Way along which the doughnuts are progressed through the flow of the cooking liquid, forming means for depositing raw doughnuts at one locality in said way, a turner for inverting the doughnuts at another locality in the way, impelling means disposed in advance ofthe forming means and causing ilow of the cooking liquid in the channel, anda second channel in said kettle connected to the rst channel and by-passing a portion of the cooking liquid past the forming means.

6. In a doughnut machine, a kettle having a positing raw doughnuts at one locality in said way, a turner for inverting the doughnuts at channel forming a by-pass for by-passing the cooking liquid past a portion of the rst channel and discharging the same into said rst channel at a locality in advance of said turner, and means for regulating the amount of cooking liquid passing through the rst named channel.

7. In a doughnut machine, a kettle having an elongated depression therein open from the top, a partition in said depression forming therein two channels, one of said channels forming a way along which doughnuts are progressed through the ow of cooking liquid, forming means for depositing the doughnuts in said way at a locality near one end of said partition, a

9,109,864 turner ior inverting said doughnuts and disposed A in said way at a locality beyond the other end of said partition.r impelling means for impelling` the flow ci' cooking liquid in both of said channels, the cooking liquid in both of said channels uniting in advance oi.' said turner and jointly passing therethrough, Y said turner operating through the ow of the cooking liquid.

8. In a doughnut machine, a kettle having a channel providing a circuitous way?.I along which the doughnuts are progressed through the ow of the cooking liquid, forming means for depositing raw doughnuts at one locality in said way. said way having a run following the torming means in which initial cooking of the doughnut takes place, a turner following s aid run and operating through the ow of the cooking liquid, impelling means for causing ow of the cooking liquid in the channel and meansr for procuring a relatively slow flow of cooking liquid at the locality of said forming means and in said run and for procuring relatively rapid tlow of the cooking liquid through said turner.

ALEXANDER S. T. LAGAARD. 

